Denver and the West

Denver's growing zoo may cost more to visit

The annual Zoo Lights display opens to the public Friday, running from 5 to 9 p.m. each day through Jan. 1. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $5 for kids and $7 for those 65 and older.
(Denver Zoo)

Denver Zoo visitors may see an increase in admission fees beginning in January.

The Denver Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee approved a measure Tuesday to raise City Park zoo fees by $2 a person.

The proposal will go to Mayor Council on Dec. 13. From there, it would go before the full City Council as soon as Dec. 19.

Current zoo ticket prices are $6 or $8 for kids and $10 or $13 for adults, depending on the season.

"Our biggest concern, and the gist of the dialog, was that the zoo is still accessible to everyone," said zoo spokeswoman Ana Bowie.

This is the second of two phases meant to help put a dent in recently increased zoo expenses. The first was a $1 fee increase at the beginning of 2010.

Admission fees make up about 25 percent of the zoo's revenue.

"We knew that with a $50 million-plus project we'd have a massive increase in operating costs," Bowie said.

Some of the expenses associated with the new Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, previously known as Asian Tropics, include 22 new full-time staff members, new buildings, a larger veterinary staff and more insurance. Animal-feed bills, too, are on the rise because of droughts, Bowie said.

The bill also raises fees on four of the 10 event spaces available for rental.

"All of those increases are a reflection of the increase in the entire zoo experience," Bowie said.

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